Thursday, April 13, 2017

Finding Sure security in the One who gave his life away

Keep me here, there's nowhere else I would rather be!
These are the words of my favorite singer: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RqoIk-jj0uQ
She is talking about being so close to the Lord she can feel his vivid presence in his Love. 
1 Samuel 16:1-13 NIV
[1] The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” [2] But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.' [3] Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” [4] Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace? ” [5] Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. [6] When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord's anointed stands here before the Lord.” [7] But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” [8] Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” [9] Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” [10] Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” [11] So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” [12] So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” [13] So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.
1 Samuel 28:1-25 NIV
[1] In those days the Philistines gathered their forces to fight against Israel. Achish said to David, “You must understand that you and your men will accompany me in the army.” [2] David said, “Then you will see for yourself what your servant can do.” Achish replied, “Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life.” [3] Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in his own town of Ramah. Saul had expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land. [4] The Philistines assembled and came and set up camp at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and set up camp at Gilboa. [5] When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart. [6] He inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets. [7] Saul then said to his attendants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.” “There is one in Endor, ” they said. [8] So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. “Consult a spirit for me,” he said, “and bring up for me the one I name.” [9] But the woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done. He has cut off the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why have you set a trap for my life to bring about my death?” [10] Saul swore to her by the Lord, “As surely as the Lord lives, you will not be punished for this.” [11] Then the woman asked, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” “Bring up Samuel,” he said. [12] When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out at the top of her voice and said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!” [13] The king said to her, “Don't be afraid. What do you see?” The woman said, “I see a ghostly figure coming up out of the earth.” [14] “What does he look like?” he asked. “An old man wearing a robe is coming up,” she said. Then Saul knew it was Samuel, and he bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. [15] Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” “I am in great distress,” Saul said. “The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has departed from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what to do.” [16] Samuel said, “Why do you consult me, now that the Lord has departed from you and become your enemy? [17] The Lord has done what he predicted through me. The Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors---to David. [18] Because you did not obey the Lord or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the Lord has done this to you today. [19] The Lord will deliver both Israel and you into the hands of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will also give the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.” [20] Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, filled with fear because of Samuel's words. His strength was gone, for he had eaten nothing all that day and all that night. [21] When the woman came to Saul and saw that he was greatly shaken, she said, “Look, your servant has obeyed you. I took my life in my hands and did what you told me to do. [22] Now please listen to your servant and let me give you some food so you may eat and have the strength to go on your way.” [23] He refused and said, “I will not eat.” But his men joined the woman in urging him, and he listened to them. He got up from the ground and sat on the couch. [24] The woman had a fattened calf at the house, which she butchered at once. She took some flour, kneaded it and baked bread without yeast. [25] Then she set it before Saul and his men, and they ate. That same night they got up and left.

Being connected to God Almighty is extremely vivid. We love the Lord and long to bask in his presence. When you are in the presence of the Lord, you begin to feel true and lasting peace (see 
http://www.shewrites.com/m/blogpost?id=3506464%3ABlogPost%3A1169880 for more encouragement and insight.

I pray you feel closer to God then ever before through this post.

Remember that God loves you a lot more then I ever will!

Blessings!

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